Construction industry relief at Scottish No vote

Grant Prior 10 years ago
Share

Construction and property leaders hope the Scottish no vote to independence will lead to a work surge in the country.

The result was confirmed this morning with a 55% to 45% vote in favour of remaining part of the union.

Construction information specialists Barbour ABI had warned that £7bn of planned projects were at risk if Scotland had voted for independence.

Kevin Bradley, Head of Scotland, Programme Cost Consulting at consultant AECOM said: “Now that Scotland has voted to remain in the Union and provided the result is accepted as permanent and the risk of any ongoing campaign is removed it takes away uncertainty for investors, we are likely to see a significant increase in commercial property transactions over the coming months.

“The Government is committed to investment in public infrastructure to secure long term economic growth, so we would anticipate an announcement of this pipeline in the autumn to prime the market for delivery.

“This could result in additional funding for public sector infrastructure investment as well as potentially tax advantageous conditions to attract foreign direct investment and for private sector businesses to locate in Scotland.”

But some confusion still remains on the level of extra powers the Scottish Parliament will be given in the wake of the no vote.

David Melhuish, Director of the Scottish Property Federation, said: “The uncertainty over Scotland’s constitutional future is now settled and it is important that political certainty is now regained if market confidence is to be secured in the commercial property sector.

“Certainty on the content and substance of the UK political parties’ proposals to enhance the powers of Holyrood and a commitment by the Scottish Government to work constructively with this process is vital if we are to ensure normal business and investment activity in the wake of the uncertainties expressed during the referendum campaign.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “To those in Scotland sceptical of the constitutional promises made, let me say this we have delivered on devolution under this Government, and we will do so again in the next Parliament.

“The three pro-union parties have made commitments, clear commitments, on further powers for the Scottish Parliament.

“We will ensure that they are honoured in full.”

Latest news

Winners revealed for £5.4bn electricity grid upgrade

SP Energy Networks unveils 19 winners - full list
2 days ago

Malaysian property giant to buy 50% stake in JRL

IJM Land to buy into diversified £800m turnover south east contractor
2 days ago

Fast-track skills hubs to train 5,000 extra apprentices

Plan for network of 32 skills hubs to rain construction apprentices in half the time
2 days ago

Luxury house builder files administration notice

£31m turnover Octagon Developments Ltd lodges court notice
2 days ago

Morgan Sindall takes on £22m stalled ISG Cardiff school job

Workplan is being drawn up ahead of restart on Penarth school
2 days ago

Walker Modular wins bathroom pod deal on student tower

Sealant-free construction method helps supplier dominate student market
2 days ago

Over £600m awarded for decarbonisation projects – full lists

Over 240 public building energy upgrade projects secure cash
2 days ago

Enabling works to start on £130m Huyton town centre regen

Phase one includes a new council HQ, hotel and 72 flats
3 days ago

Ridge buys rival consultant Jubb

Acquisition will see 100 new staff join Ridge
3 days ago

Grainger build to rent pipeline rises to £1.4bn

Rental specialist buys sites in Sheffield and Cardiff to build 600 rental homes
3 days ago

Kier wins Cambridgeshire County council estate upkeep

Firm will provide building and M&E services to 106 buildings across the county
3 days ago

Louvres and solar shading specialist files for administration

Hampshire based ALPS lodges court notice after 25 years in business
3 days ago

Speedy Hire posts a loss in latest results

Hire giant confident of better performance in next six months
3 days ago

Esh to lead next phase of Riverside Sunderland regeneration

Infrastructure work will allow further development of Sheepfolds area
3 days ago

Green light for £1.3bn Edinburgh coastal town revamp

First phase of Granton Waterfront scheme will see Cruden Homes create a new community
4 days ago

Vistry chief operating officer steps down

Earl Sibley exits as his COO role axed for more direct reporting to CEO
4 days ago

House builder Camstead goes into administration

Work stopped on three current sites
5 days ago

Death of piling legend Roger Bullivant

Industry innovator dies after long illness aged 85
4 days ago

ESS Modular went down owing suppliers £7m

Modular specialist owned by ISG owner Cathexis
4 days ago

Builders back farmers in inheritance tax protest

"A rethink is desperately needed" say National Federation of Builders
4 days ago

Willmott Dixon wins £36m leisure centre upgrade

Work to start on historic Westminster 1930s Grade II listed Seymour Centre
4 days ago

Graham wins £100m Cardiff Crossrail phase 1

Work on route to Cardiff Bay to start before end of next year
5 days ago

Laing O’Rourke appoints new European MD

Peter Lyons to take-up new role in February
6 days ago

Profits dip at Stepnell ahead of demerger

Turnover and secured workloads up ahead of restructure
6 days ago

HS2 green bridge deck takes shape

100m-wide wildlife bridge to carry hedgerows and country lane over HS2
5 days ago

1,000-home Wolverhampton city centre scheme in for planning

ECF and council advance City Centre West build to rent scheme
6 days ago

Sisk clinches £54m North London council HQ revamp

Haringey's iconic Grade II listed civic centre to be brought back into use
6 days ago

Ofgem approves £2.5bn Eastern Green Link 1

Work to start next Spring on cable project from Scotland to the north of England
6 days ago

Anglian Water hunts for £1bn delivery partner

Programme delivery partner wil integrate with client team over 15-year plan
6 days ago

Hadden collapse costs supply chain £6.7m

"Highly unlikely" subcontractors will receive anything for their unpaid invoices
6 days ago

Contractor services